38 special 125gr copper plated HP38 reloading data

[Chaplain45]

My Lee Modern Reloading nor my Hornady book have much data for copper plated bullets, especially not for HP38 powder. These are plinking rounds for a revolver (Taurus 85). Suggestions on good data? -38 special 125gr copper plated, round nose flat point, HP38 powder

Also, suggestions on a good source for data in general for copper plated bullets with HP38 or Titegroup? Thanks.

 

[singlesix]

why don't you go to the hogdon load data website?
Set your sights on pistol reloading data | Hodgdon Reloading

 

[trophyhunter]

Here's some QL data for Rainer's 125 FP plated bullet and HP38 for your snubby:

Cartridge          : .38 Special (SAAMI)Bullet             : .357, 125, FP Rainier
Useable Case Capaci: 20.320 grain H2O = 1.319 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.550 inch = 39.37 mm
Barrel Length      : 2.0 inch = 50.8 mm
Powder             : Hodgdon HP38


Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !


Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms


-20.0   30     4.64    501      70   11068   9853     76.2    0.447
-18.0   30     4.76    512      73   11558  10245     77.3    0.439
-16.0   31     4.87    523      76   12059  10642     78.4    0.432
-14.0   32     4.99    534      79   12571  11044     79.4    0.421
-12.0   33     5.10    545      83   13094  11448     80.4    0.412
-10.0   33     5.22    556      86   13628  11856     81.4    0.402
-08.0   34     5.34    567      89   14174  12267     82.3    0.393
-06.0   35     5.45    579      93   14730  12680     83.3    0.385  ! Near Maximum !
-04.0   36     5.57    590      96   15298  13098     84.2    0.376  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0   36     5.68    601     100   15877  13515     85.1    0.368  ! Near Maximum !

 

[Chaplain45]

why don't you go to the hogdon load data website?
Set your sights on pistol reloading data | Hodgdon Reloading

I did, they only had data for cast bullet or Hornady XTP. Not much help with plated, unless I am missing something.

 

[Chaplain45]

Thanks trophyhunter, I will put it to work.

 

[Sling10mm]

I was going to say you could just use the cast bullet data, especially if they are just plinking rounds, but what trophy posted was even better. I need to get Quickload.

 

[singlesix]

I did, they only had data for cast bullet or Hornady XTP. Not much help with plated, unless I am missing something.

Nope I missed.

 

[SSGSAD]

why don't you go to the hogdon load data website?
Set your sights on pistol reloading data | Hodgdon Reloading

This cast data will work ..... I NEVER push standard .38 spl. loads, past 1000 fps .....

 

[trophyhunter]

Thanks trophyhunter, I will put it to work.

Anytime, you guys ever want to see load work up spreadsheets on QL just send me a PM happy to do those it only takes a minute or so.

 

[singlesix]

Anytime, you guys ever want to see load work up spreadsheets on QL just send me a PM happy to do those it only takes a minute or so.

Would you say the load from QL runs a bit "hotter" than what is published by the powder manufacturers?

 

[trophyhunter]

Would you say the load from QL runs a bit "hotter" than what is published by the powder manufacturers?

You might lean that way when comparing revolver loads but bear in mind the load data published by powder manufacturer's is derived from fixed breech test barrels that measure pressure (and use it close to 100% efficiency in terms of generating velocity) every last bit of gas the round can make. It's got no where else to go but out the barrel if you will, consider the differences in those test barrels ability to capture 100% of the gas versus a revolver that's venting some of it between the face of the cylinder and forcing cone and you will have a discrepancy in manufacturers data versus real world results.

I find QL to be more accurate and much closer to chronograph results than powder manufacturers data across the board. I can point you to starting and mid range load data that won't cycle an action on a semi-auto pistol from manufacturer's recent publications, and reference the same material published years ago for the same cannister powder that shows considerably higher load ranges than what is published now.

For an example compare Western powders current standard load data for AA#5 and the 9mm 115g FMJ load, what they show at the low-mid range of the chart won't produce enough gas to work the action on any piece made, and they recently updated those charts to show the old load number's as current +p data.

Safety first and foremost, but any load I have ever made performed better when it was at or near the SAAMI pressure ceiling for the cartridge.